Icing machine



y 8 1952 H. o. M LAIN EIAL 2,602,303

ICING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 5, 1947 INVENTORS.

Harold OZVQZQM BY CZMerZLBZaZizL, a 5

y 8, 1952 H. o. MQLAIN ETAL 2,602,303

ICING MACHINE I 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 5, 1947 INVENTORS.

HaroZdOZVcZam BY QlberZlZB H-. O. M LAIN EI'AL July 8, 1952 ICING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 5, 1947 HQf- ZZKEkZ? y CZZ erZ 1135622152),

Patented July 8, 1952 ICING MACHINE Harol D- McLain, Hig d a k, a d e t L- 'Blatti, Glu'cago, 111.; Ruby Catherine Blatti, executrix of said Albert L. Blatti, deceased, as-

signorto saidMcLain Application August 5, 1947, Serial No. 766,313

12 Glaims.

The present invention relates generally to the arrangement and c-ombinationof means anddevices and unitary controls therefor for the purpose of expeditiously top-icing refrigerator cars.

One of the primary objects of the present invention is to provide a novel arrangement of devices for icing of refrigerator cars in which the coordinated control of a series, of operating mechanisms increases the speed and capacity of the ice crusher and slinger unit in such a manner that a maximum of efficiency is attained.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel and improved self-propelled'topicing device or ice servicing unit adapted for-use in connection with a conventional icing dock and ice block conveying mechanism in which all of the controls for the operating motors, including the ice block conveying mechanism, are under the complete control of the operator stationed on the traveling or se1f-propel1ed.1.mit.

, A further object of the invention is to provide a traveling ice crusher and slinger unit for topicing adjacent refrigerator cars in which the unit in this instance is adapted to-travel parallel to and adjacent one'side of an ice block conveying belt and in which the speed of the belt is coordinated with that'ofthe speed of the travel of the unit and under the control ofthe operator stationed on the-unit v A further object of the invention is to provide a top-icing slinger unit in combination with an ice block conveying mechanism in which the operation of the parts are so coordinated and their respective operations synchronized so that a maximum speed capacity can be obtained.

A further object of the invention is to provide a self-propelled ice crusher and-slinger unit having an operators station or iplatform asso ciated therewith from which platform the operator can control and synchronize the operation of all the movable elements'of the various devices and thereby secure maximum speed of l operation and capacity of output.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an icing device, which includes a series of automatically actuated as well as manually controlled switches which successively places into operation certain separate operatin'g -elements in ace-rtain sequence, and stops't-he operation of these same operating elements in the reverse sequence. 1

These and other objects are accomplished by providing a construction and an arrangement of the various parts in the manner hereinafter described and'particularly-pointed out in the appended claims. g

Referring tothe drawings:

Fig. 1 is an end elevational view of a conventional form of icing dock and adjacent refrigerator cars 0 he opposite sides thereof showing the relationship with respect to our improved icing machine;

.Fig. 2 is a fragmentary cross sectional view tak n nt e line 2-2 o 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary viewof the icin n t;

i 4 is a diagrammatic view of the electrical wiring and controls, all of which are operable from the traveling unit; and

Fig. 5 is across sectional View of the conveyor ice guide.

'In illustrating one form our invention may assume in practice, we have shown the same in connection with a conventional form of clock or elevated platform, generally indicated by the reference character it. This elevated platform or dock is usually from several hundred feet up to a thousand feet in length and extends longitudinally on one side of or between the longitudinally extending parallel railway tracks H on which are mounted the conventional railway refrigerator cars, generally indicated by the reference character {2. In Fig. 1 of the drawings the docl; isshown between the opposite series of longitudinally extending refrigerator cars through the center doors of which, as indicated at 13, the cars may be serviced or top-iced. This conventional form of docl; H1 is provided with an elevated platform I4, from which the "hoppers or hatches 15 located at the opposite ends of the oa gn a-y be icedin the conventional manner. {The platform 14 of the dock 10 is supported in elevated position by a series of uniformally spaced apart vertical posts ll. The

lower ends of the posts are suitably imbedded in the ground to support the docks in position, Throughout the longitudinal length of the dock and at an elevation in alignment with the floor of the refrigerator cars I2 are-two oppositely disposed catv'vallrs l8. Suspended from the opened doors l3 and serving as the ,operatorsstation or platform, generally indicated by the reference character 18, is our improved portable safety servicing platform, the details of which are disclosed in our co-pending application, 'SerialNo.

Ourinvention contemplates the use of exist-j mg icing dock structure by providing an :ice

more efficiently and expeditiously complete the operation of top-icing the refrigerator cars. This novel arrangement includes an ice block con veyor guide, generally indicated by the reference character 25. This conveyor guide 23 is provided with longitudinally extending central channellike depression as shown at 2|. Located on one side of the guide 29 is a vertical side wall 22 for guiding the ice blocks therealong. Located in the channel 2| of the ice guide is an endless belt in the form of a series of chain links 23. Certain of the links carry upwardly projecting lugs as shown at 24, which are spaced at suitable intervals and project above the bottom portion of the ice block guide '29 for conveying the ice therealong. This conveyor 23 and ice guide 20 is located between one of the catwalks I8 and the traveling crusher and slinger unit, generally indicated by the reference character 25, the details of which will hereinafter be more fully described. The ice guide 29 extends longitudinally of and parallel to the dock and extends from one end of the dock to the other end thereof for the purpose of conveying the ice blocksto the traveling unit in the manner hereinafter described. This ice conveyor guide is positioned at a level of substantially that of the catwalk l8 and is supported in position by spaced apart horizontal beams 26 which are secured to uniformly spaced apart vertical posts I! of the dock and to one of the catwalks, as clearly shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. The lower ends of the posts 2! are suitably supported on the ground.

Cooperating with and adapted to receivethe ice blocks from the conveyor belt 23 is our selfpropelled ice crusher and slinger unit indicated by the reference character 25, which is adapted to travel beneath the elevated platform or dock ID on suitable tracks 28. This crusher and icing unit comprises longitudinally extending side frame members 29 and suitable transverse frame members 30. Mounted on the main frame 29 is an operators platform 29'. 1 This main frame 29 is suitably mounted on suitable wheels 3| which are adapted to travel on the tracks 28 located in substantially the center of the icing dock I0. Secured to the main frame 29 are vertical posts 32. Secured to the upper end of the vertical spaced apart posts 32 is a canopy or operators shield, generally indicated by the reference character 33. The unit is propelled along the tracks 28 by an electric motor, generally indicated by the reference character 34. The motor 34 is geared by means of a chain or belt 35 to drive the adjacent traction wheels 3| of the unit. Mounted on the main frame 29 of the unit 25 is an ice crusher and slinger, generally indicated by the reference character 36. This crusher and slinger unit comprises a substantially rectangular housing 31 in which is mounted a conventional cylinder type ice crusher (not shown) which is mounted on a shaft 38. Secured to the shaft 38 is a pulley 39 which is geared to a pulley 40 by a drive belt 4|. The pulley 40 is mounted onthe main shaft of an electric motor generally indicated by thereference character 42. The crushed ice in the crushing cylinder is discharged into a slinger housing 44 in which a rotor having radially disposed blades is operatively driven by an electric motor, generally indicated by the reference character 45- and mounted on the main frame or platform 29' of the unit 25. Extending substantially tangentially from the slinger housing is a pipe or conduit 46, to the upper end of which is connected an elbow 41 and flexible conduit 48. Connected 4 to the outer end of the flexible hose 48 is a suitable nozzle 49.

From an examination of Fig. l of the drawings, it is obvious that therefrigerator cars 12 on either side of the dock or unit may be serviced from the adjacent platform H! by an operators station thereon, by merely swinging the elbow 4! of the slinger from the full line position shown in Fig. 1 to the broken line position shown in this figure. Communicating with the crusher housing 36 is a forward housing 50. Extending from the housing 50 so as to form a downwardly inclined chute, generally indicated by the reference character 5 l, is a trough-like guide for guiding the ice blocks in a direction toward the crushing cylinder. This trough-like guide comprises curved and inclined bottom 52 and elevated vertical side walls 53. This chute 5 l, as viewed in Fig. 2 of the drawings, is in the form of a reverse curve of substantially s-shape in form and has its outermost edge, as shown at 54, extending parallel to the inner side of the ice guide 20 of the conveyor, so that the unit as a whole may be moved longitudinally of the conveyor and stop at any point therealong to transfer the ice blocks from the conveyor chain 23 into the curved guide trough 5|, from which it is conveyed into the crusher by two spaced apart conveyor chains 55 located in the bottom of the trough 5|. These conveyor chains extend from the rear portion of the trough 5| into the housing 50 and are trained about suitable sprockets or rollers 56 and 51. The sprocket 51 is secured to a shaft 58. The shaft 58 is driven by a motor 59, which in turn, is mounted on the top of the housing 50. The motor 59 is geared to the shaft 58 by a suitable belt 60. The belt 60, in turn, is trained about suitable pulley wheels on the respective shafts of the motor 59 and the shaft 58. Pivoted on one side of the chute 5|, as shown at 6|, is a gate or ice block deflector arm 62 which is adapted to swing over the conveyor guide 2|! into the path of the oncoming block of ice so as to deflect it or switch it into the trough 5 I, from where it is conveyed by gravity down the inclined floor 52 of the chute into the ice crushing and slinger unit 36. The gate 62 may be actuated into the path of the oncoming block of ice conveyed by the conveyor chain 23 by a hand operated lever 63, which may be manipulated by the operator on the platform 29' of the unit 25. I

The power for operating the conveyor chain 23 includes a motor 64 mounted on a suitable support adjacent one end of the dock. This motor, through a fluid drive, generally indicated at 95, in the diagrammatic view of the drawings shown in Fig. 4, operates the sprocket wheel or pulley 65. The pulley or sprocket wheel 65 in turn drives a second sprocket wheel or pulley 66 through the medium of a belt or chain 61. The sprocket B6 in turn, drives a sprocket wheel 61 through the medium of a shaft 68. The conveyor chain 23, in turn, is trained about and is driven by the sprocket wheel 61'.

One of the essential features of the present invention, as hereinbefore stated, includes the unitary control not only of all of the operating parts of: the crusher and slinger unit and the travel of the unit by one operator on the platform, but also permits this operator to control the operation of the conveying mechanism for conveying the blocks of ice to the unit. In other words, the control and operation of the supply of ice blocks as well as the travel of the unit itself, together with the operating elements thereof, are all under the control of one operator stationed which is secured to twoadjacent vertical postson one side *of the unit as ish'ownin 'Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings.

In (order to secure a more complete disclosure of our improved unitary control of our self-propelledcrusher and slinger unit, we have shown injiFig 4 of'the drawings a diagrammati'c'view 'of the essential motorsland power "connections.

'The source of electrical energy for energizing the various motors of the unit is'derived from a trolley duct, generally indicated bythe reference character 10. This trolley 10 is of conventional form and is secured to the lower side of and extends-longitudinally of one of the catwalks l8 as shown in Fig. '1 of the drawings. 'By referring to Fig. 4 of the drawings, a general diagrammatic view of the necessary wiring and electrical connections 'is shown "and in this instance, the trolley duct 10 comprises three power lines indicated by the reference character H. Engaging 9 each of the power lines H arecollector shoes 12 which are individually connected by "wire connections T3. The other ends of the wires '13 are connected into a power cabinet, generally indicated at M which, in turn, is mounted 'on the panel 'E9.' The power cabinet 14 is connected up through the medium of three wire connections 15,16 and 11 to each of the respective motors '59, 42 and '45, all of which are carried by the portable unit 25. Thepower lines 1 l "are also connected to a master and magnetic switch, generally indicated by the reference character 18, which is adapted 'to start, stop and reverse the operation of the conveyor'23. This master switch 18 is connected by suitable wires 19 to'the motor 64, which operates'the conveyor; Positioned adjacent the power or trolley duct Ill is the conveyor'23 control line trolley, generally indicated by thereference character '80, which extends parallel to and is secured to one of the catwalks l8 of the dock I as shown'in Fig. 1 of the drawings. This conveyor control line 80 comprises four wires 8 I. The wires 8| are connectedthrough the medium of a solenoid, generally indicated by the reference character'82, to the master switch 18 of'the elec-' tric niotor 64. Contacting each of the control wires :or lines 8| are'four collector shoe 83 which, ingturn, are connected to a switch station generally indicated by the reference character 84' and includes a series of three switch buttons 84 85 and 86 in the manner'well understood in the art, to control the start, stop and reverse switches of the'motor 64 which operates the ice blocl; conveyor 23. The switches 84, B and 86 are connected by four wires 81 to thejcontrol cabinet; 14. The electric motor 34 is connected to the control cabinet 14 through the medium of a .drum controller, generally indicated by the reference character 88,through the medium of sixor a series of wire connections 89 and 90. The slinger or impeller motor 45, the ice crushing motor 42 and the feed'chain motor'59 are synchronized or successively energized in that order to operate their respective movable elements in the same order or stop in the reverse successive order at a control switch generally indicated by the reference character 91' which includes start and stop buttons or switches 9| and 92, which in turn, are connected by suitable wiring 93 to the powercabi-net'ld;

It will be understood from the above description that theoperator on the station 29 is in effect provided with a universal or;mastercontro'l notonly of the operating elements, such as the direction of travel, start and stop of the wheeled frame unit 25, the synchronizedoperation of the motors 42, "45 and 59 carried bytheunit 25, but also the control of the direction of travel, start and stop of the ice block conveyor 23. In other words, the complete control of all of the operating elements *onthe wheeled frame25 and complete control of the ice block conveyor 23 is within easy reach of the 'operators platform on the wheeled frame or unit 25.

The magnetic switch control 18 and the switch control 94 are supplemental controls'remote from the operators station on the wheeled frame'25 and 'both control "the operation of the ice block conveyor 23. These two last mentioned controls are positioned preferablyat a point adjacentjthe opposite ends of the conveyor 23 sothatth e'ice block conveyor may be stopped by othera'ttend ants should the occasion arise for stopping the ice blockconveyor.

In order to control the feed conveyor '23 from the receiving end or the end on which the ice blocks are placed thereon, a suitable switchcontrol, generally indicated by the reference character 94 is provided. 'This'switch.94includes1push buttons '95, 96 and 91 for controlling the start, stop and reverse travel of the conveyor. These switches are connected by a wiring or preferably four wires or lines 98 which in turn, are con--' nected to the individualwires 8| of the conveyor control line 80.

Summarizing the advantages and functions of operation of. our improved unitary control and synchronized operation of the .variousoperative devices so as to coordinate their separate rune tions into an e'flicient operating device, it will be readily seen that we have produced a novel and improved arrangement of coordinated dev ces and controls therefor within easy reach of .a single operator on the traveling unit, which :increases the speed capacity to'a maximum and reduces to a minimum the amount of time andlabor heretofore required to perform this essentialic'ing operation.

While in the above specificationwe have described one embodiment which our invention may assume in practice, it will, of course, be understood that the'same is capable of modification and that modification may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention' as expressed in the following claims.

What we claim as our invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: v

1. In combination with a mobile unit provided with .an ice crusher and slinger for deliverying crushed ice to refrigerator cars adjacent :to said unit, of a conveyor carried by said unit for'conveying ice blocks to said crushing mechanism, a second conveyor located adjacent to andilongitudinal .of said unit for conveying ice blocks, tO'r' ward said unit, means carried by .said unitrfor deflecting the .ice blocks from said last namedv conveyor to said first named conveyor, an operators platform carried by said unit, and operative controls for said crusher, slinger and said conveyors within easy reach of the operator on said platform. I 2..In combination with a mobile unit provided with ice crusher and slinger for delivering crushed ice to refrigerator cars adjacent said unit. a running gear for said un-it.'an operators station on said unit, a conveyor carried by said unit, an ice block conveyor positioned adjacent said unit for conveying block ice to said unit, meanscarried by said unit for deflecting said ice blocks from said ice block conveyor to said first conveyor, a motor carried by said unit for propelling said unit, a second motor carried by said unit for driving 7 said crusher, a third motor carried by said unit for driving said slinger, a fourth motor carried by said unit for driving said first named conveyor, a fifth motor remote from said unit for driving said ice block conveyor and unitary control'means carried by said unit for controlling all of said motors.

3. In combination with a mobile unit provided with an ice crusher and slinger for delivering crushed ice to refrigerator cars arranged along the travel of said unit, of a running gear for said unit, an operators station on said unit, a conveyor carried by said unit, a second conveyor positioned adjacent said unit for conveying block ice to said unit, means carried by said unit for defiecting said ice blocks from said first conveyor to said second conveyor, a motor carried by said unit for propelling said unit, a second motor carried by said unit for driving said crusher, a third motor carried by said unit for driving said slinger, a fourth motor carried by said unit for driving said first named conveyor, a fifth motor remote from said unit for driving said second named conveyor, and control means carried by said unit and operable from said operators station for controlling all of said motors.

4. In combination with a mobile unit provided with an ice crusher and slinger for delivering crushed ice to refrigerator cars, of a'running gear for said unit, an operators station on said unit, a conveyor carried by said unit, a second conveyor positioned adjacent and paralleling the path of travel of said unit for conveying block ice to said unit, means carried by said unit for deflecting said ice blocks from said second conveyor to said first conveyor, a motor carried by said unit for propelling said unit, a second motor carried by said unit for driving said crusher, a third motor carried by said unit for driving said s1inger, a fourth motor carried by said unit for driving said first named conveyor, and unitary control means carried by said unit for controlling all of said motors.

5. Arefrigerator car ice servicing device comprising a wheeled frame adapted to travel a path paralleling tracks on which railway refrigerator cars are spotted for icing purposes, an operators platform carried by the wheeled frame at substantially the level of the floors of the railway cars, catwalks paralleling and located on the opposite sides of the path of travel of said wheeled frame substantially at the level of the operators platform, a conveyor mechanism for conveying ice blocks longitudinally of and located at one side of the path of travel of the wheeled frame, ice crusher and slinger mechanism mounted on the wheeled frame, a motor carried by the wheeled frame for driving the latter in opposite directions along itspath Of travel, a motor for driving the ice block conveyor mechanism, and means carried by the wheeled'frame for deflecting ice blocks from said conveyor mechanism.

frame for guiding andtransferring ice blocks,

6. A structure as specified in claim 5, in coin-- bination with the ice crusher and slinger me-w chanism on the wheeled; frame at a lower level than the ice block conveyor mechanism, an inclined chute carried by the wheeled-framefor guiding and transporting the deflected ice blocks toward the ice crusher and slinger mechanism, and a conveyor for feeding the ice blocks from the inclined chute to the crusher portion, of the crusher and slinger mechanism.

7..A- structure as specified in claim 5 incombination with the active run of the ice block conveyor mechanism at substantially thelevel of and between one catwalk and the operators platform.

8. A structure specified in claim 5 in combination with electric current supply wires mounted on one of the catwalks, and'a trolley mechanism carried by the wheeled frame and engaging the supply wires for furnishing electric current to the motors carried by said wheeled frame.

9. A refrigerator car ice servicing device comprising a wheeled frame adapted to travel a path paralleling tracks on which railway cars are located for icing purposes, an operators platform carried by the wheeled frame, a motor mounted on said wheeled. frame for propelling said wheeled frame in opposite .directions, an ice crusher mechanism mounted on the wheeled frame, a motor mounted on the wheeled frame for driving said ice crusher mechanism, a conveyor mechanism for conveying ice blocks longitudinally of and located on one side of the path of travel of the wheeled frame, means carried by.

said wheeled frame for guiding and transferring ice blocks from said conveyor to the icecrusher mechanism, a motor remote from the wheeled frame for driving said last named conveyor in either direction, and a drum controller mountedon said wheeled frame adjacent the operators platform and operatively related to said first named motor for starting, stopping and reversing thetravel of the wheeled frame.

10. A refrigerator car ice servicing device comprising a wheeled frame adapted to travel a path paralleling tracks on which railway cars are located for icing purposes, an operators platform carried by the wheeled frame, a motor mounted on said wheeled frame for propellingsaid wheeled frame in opposite directions, an ice crusher mechanism mounted on the wheeled frame, a motor mounted on the wheeledframe for driving said ice crusher mechanism, a conveyor mechanism for conveying ice blocks longitudinally of and located on one side of the path of travel of the wheeled frame, means carried by said wheeled from said conveyor to the ice crusher mechanism, a. motor remote from the wheeled frame for driving said last named conveyor in opposite directions, drum controller mounted on said wheeled frame adjacent the operators platform and operatively related'to said first named motor for starting, stopping and reversing the travel of the wheeled frame, longitudinally extending electric current supply wires paralleling and located at one side of the path of travel of said Wheeled frame, and a trolley mechanism carried by the wheeled frame and engaging said supply wires for energizing all of the motors mounted on said wheeled frame.

11. A refrigerator car ice servicing machine comprising a wheeled frame adapted to travel a path paralleling tracks on which railway cars are located for icing purposes, an operators station carried by the wheeled frame, a motor mounted on the wheeled frame for propelling the wheeled frame in either direction, an ice crusher mechanismmounted on the wheeled frame, a motor mounted on the wheeled frame for driving the ice crusher mechanism, a conveyor mechanism for conveying ice blocks in a path parallel to the path of travel of and toward the wheeled frame, means carried by the wheeled frame for transferring ice blocks from said conveyor to the ice crusher mechanism, a motor remote from the wheeled frame for driving said conveyor in either direction, and means mounted on the wheeled frame adjacent the operator's station and operatively related to said last named motor for controlling the actuation of said conveyor from the operators station.

12. A refrigerator car ice servicing device comprising a Wheeled frame adapted to travel a path paralleling tracks on which railway refrigerator cars are spotted for icing purposes, an operators platform carried by the wheeled frame, a conveyor mechanism for conveying ice blocks longitudinally of and toward said wheeled frame, an ice crusher mechanism mounted on said wheeled frame, a motor carried by the wheeled frame for driving said crushing mechanism, a motor carried by said wheeled frame for driving the wheeled frame in either direction along its path of travel, a motor for driving the ice block conveying mechanism, electric current supply wires positioned adjacent to and paralleling the path of travel of said wheeled frame, and a trolley mechanism carried by said wheeled frame and engaging the supply wires for furnishing electric current to said motors.

HAROLD'O. MCLAJN.

ALBERT L. BLAT'II.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,506,907 Jackson Sept. 2, 1924 1,758,197 Morgan May 13, 1930 2,063,431 Grayson et 'al. Dec. 8, 1936 2,113,493 Phillips Apr. 5, 1938 2,136,214 Keith Nov. 8, 1938 

